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負う

Meanings, readings, and example sentences for the Japanese word 負う

負う
おう
Transitive
Godan verb
Freq #2460
1

to carry on one's back; to bear; to shoulder

Examples
負うた子に教えられて浅瀬を渡る。
A child on your back may guide you across a ford.
2

to take (responsibility); to assume; to accept; to bear (the blame, costs, etc.); to have (a duty, obligation, etc.); to become responsible for; to be burdened with (work, debt, etc.)

Examples
これについては私がすべて責任を負います。
I will accept full responsibility for this.
3

to suffer (an injury); to sustain (a wound); to receive; to incur (a loss, damage, etc.)

Examples
彼は致命傷を負った。
He suffered a fatal wound.
4

As ...に負う

to owe (a debt of gratitude to); to be indebted to

Examples
わずかながら私の受けた指導を私は若者に負っている。
What little guidance I had I owe to a young man.
5

to have (something) behind one; to be backed by

Kanji in this Word

負
9 strokes
Frequency: 443
JLPT N2
Grade 3

Meanings

defeat
negative
-
minus
bear
owe
assume a responsibility

Readings

On — Chinese-derived reading, usually for compounds
フ
Kun — Native Japanese reading, usually for standalone words
ま.ける
ま.かす
お.う
📝

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